Hibiscus Tent: The Prime Minister’s palm is reborn

Once the news of the fall of Meilin Island came out, it shocked the government and the public.

Before the war, compared to Meilin Island, which had a dangerous terrain and was home to elite troops, everyone was more worried about Jinzhou, which was surrounded by enemies. At one point, they even did not think highly of Hulug Qiangguang's stubbornness and believed that he should no longer have any hope for Jinzhou.

However, who would have thought that the result would give everyone a loud slap in the face.

Pingcheng, which should not have been lost, was lost just like that.

Over the past half month, the two armies fought several times. Every time the Zhou army attacked halfway, they would withdraw their troops and return to the camp without taking any further action. However, they would attack again after a few days.

What was even more annoying was that the city's supplies were intercepted by Zhou's army several times. After repeated interceptions, the soldiers became restless and complained.

This time the Zhou army besieged again. In view of the previous battle situation, many people in the city were disdainful and just waited for the Zhou army to withdraw. It was not until the Zhou army concentrated its main force to break through a city gate that they realized that the situation was not right, but it was too late to reverse the situation.

Hejian King Gaozongyou saw that the situation was not good and made a prompt decision, ordering a retreat. However, the Zhou army had some understanding of the military strength in the city from previous attacks, and had already planned to encircle and intercept the city everywhere.

Fortunately, the King of Hejian was quick-witted and used a trick to confuse the enemy general and lure him into a trap, allowing him to escape by chance.

Gao Hao was very angry after suffering a defeat, losing most of his elite troops, and losing the city.

Naturally, we must hold people accountable.

Inevitably, Gao Zongyou, who survived, became the target of criticism and blame in the Jin Ye court.

Someone suggested that if the Prince of Hejian had not been so afraid of death that he abandoned the city and hastily led half of his soldiers to retreat, the General Fan who led the army would not have been isolated and killed by the Zhou army.

Some people even argued righteously that even if they were really defeated by the enemy, they should sacrifice their lives for the city, so how could they escape?

Of course, there are also people who try their best to defend it, argue with reason, and the debate continues endlessly.

At the end of the argument, someone claimed that Gao Zongyou had always disagreed with Fan Ting's political views, and perhaps he was taking this opportunity to eliminate dissidents.

As soon as this was said, someone immediately proposed to investigate Gao Zongyou...

The battle with Zhou's army is fierce at the moment, and the situation in the court is not stable. How could Gao Hao dare to thoroughly investigate the main generals on the front line at this time? He was afraid of shaking the morale of the army, and even more afraid of falling into the trap of sowing discord among people with ulterior motives.

But in order to silence the people, he had to send a nobleman to Yancheng.

On the other hand, Jinzhou fought with Zhou army several times with equal wins and losses. Many people in the court praised Hulu Qiguang for his superb military strategy and tactics, and even called him the General of a Thousand Victories.

As for King Ande Gao Yongsheng, he became famous for inflicting heavy damage on the Zhou army and defeating the general Sima Bo.

Sima Bo was very famous because he had won many battles in the past. It was really unexpected that he was defeated by Gao Yongsheng this time.

Gao Hao was filled with mixed feelings.

Inside the East Hall of Taiji Hall.

Gao Hao pursed his lips and rubbed his eyebrows tiredly.

Gao Jun knew that he was still upset about the debate in the court, so he consoled him kindly, "Although we lost the battle at Meilin Island, the Jinzhou army and the Zhou army are evenly matched. Now that Gao Zongyou has retreated to Yancheng, he may be able to strike back at the Zhou army after he regroups."

Gao Hao put down his hand and looked at him with dark eyes: "Just now when they talked about the King of Hejian, you never expressed your opinion. Why?"

Gao Jun looked at him without looking away and said, "Rather than suspecting Gao Zongyou, I think your brother is more worried about Jinzhou."

Gao Hao did not deny it.

He had some understanding of what kind of person Gao Zongyou was.

Gao Jun said: "As long as the Queen Mother continues to support my brother, we can put Hulu Qiguang aside. But it is difficult to deal with Prince Ande Gao Yongsheng. He was brought up by Gao Huan, and now his prestige in the army is too high. It is not a good thing for my brother..."

He paused and added, "He is really lucky."

Not only did he not die 'accidentally' on the battlefield, but he also won considerable prestige in the camp.

The man who was arranged in the army to take advantage of the opportunity was discovered by Gao Yongsheng and beheaded with one knife.

Gao Hao pondered for a moment and said, "Fortunately, he is not dead this time, otherwise it would be difficult for Hulu Qiguang to resist with his own strength."

He sighed softly, "Well, since he is not destined to die, and there is no solid evidence to prove that he has rebellious intentions, and he is still quite brave on the battlefield, let's keep him alive for now. Oh, by the way, the traces that should be erased and the people who should be killed must not be left out, and he must not be allowed to know that I ordered this."

Gao Jun bowed his head and replied, "Don't worry, my brother. I will definitely have someone deal with it."

Gao Hao's eyes narrowed and he smiled slightly: "If there are any clues that he notices, then it will be blamed on the Queen Mother."

Gao Jun understood and said, "Yes, I will obey your order."

Gao Jun stepped over the threshold of the East Hall and was led out of the palace by the eunuchs.

As soon as he turned the corner of the corridor, he saw a palace servant heading towards the East Hall. He tilted his head to take a look and said casually, "That palace servant looks very familiar. I have seen him several times in the Taiji Hall."

The eunuch raised his eyes and looked in the direction he was looking, only took a quick glance and then lowered his head again.

"To reply to Your Highness, I am on duty at Hanzhang Palace."

"Oh." Gao Jun seemed to be thinking about something.

*

The banquet was held at the Bishui Terrace. The palace was already luxurious, and now it was decorated with great care and lights, adding a bit of festivity that was not there before.

During the banquet, the concubines painted their eyebrows and eyes, and dressed up beautifully. The lingering scent of powder alone overwhelmed the original incense in the hall.

After a quick glance, I found that there were many new faces. I thought they must have entered the palace not long ago.

They are truly beauties, pleasing to the eye.

Of course, the most outstanding one is naturally today's birthday girl, Wei Zhaoyi.

She sat in front of people gracefully, extremely beautiful.

While receiving gifts, listening to auspicious words.

Her smiling face is so attractive that people can't take their eyes off her.

Liang Qian sat quietly at one seat, and the other seat next to her was still empty.

Gao Hao hasn't come yet.

She also heard about the fighting on the front line.

I heard that everyone was talking at the morning court. Just thinking about it, it was really annoying for Gao Hao.

In this way, she looked extremely eye-catching and somewhat out of place sitting alone in a high position.

Wei Zhaoyi's birthday banquet was even more grand than she had expected.

Since they stopped greeting each other every day, they seemed to be much more distant from her when they met again.

We no longer talk and laugh as before.

After all, who in this harem doesn’t know the relationship between the emperor and the empress dowager?

There were constant glances coming from all directions, secretly sizing up this legendary alluring empress dowager who had enchanted the emperor so much that he ignored all the other harems.

Liang Qian was too lazy to pay attention.

Let them watch as much as they want.

If it was a long time ago, she would have hated to explain it to them one by one.

Now, what else is unbearable?

Liang Qian drank her tea calmly, with a beautiful and reserved smile on her lips that was most suitable for a queen dowager of the current dynasty.

Lu Wanying once said that she looked very much like Lu Chen. She didn’t know whether they looked alike before, but now they looked more and more alike.

Liang Qian glanced at the empty space below. Although Lu Wanying had her period that day, the fetus in her belly was not harmed.

She sent Jin Zhi to deliver supplements to Yaohua Palace. Not surprisingly, Lu Wanying smashed the things in front of Jin Zhi.

When Gao Hao found out about this, he inevitably sent someone to reprimand him.

Liang Qian put down the cup in her hand.

In order to avoid the atmosphere being too dull while waiting for the emperor to arrive, the queen found many topics to talk about, ranging from the eldest prince's studies to the fourth princess's new painting.

"I'm so sorry I'm late."

A person wearing silk and green jade came in, carefully supported by eunuchs.